What
would you do if you had the powers of God? This is the question that
drives the new comedy "Bruce Almighty", a new comedy that
sees a likeable guy named Bruce (Jim Carrey), endowed with the
powers of god after his complaining gets so severe that God himself,
(Morgan Freeman), tasks Bruce do see if he could do a better job in
the same role.

At
first Bruce is skeptical, but eventually comes to love his new
powers and uses them in a series of hysterical events that range
from seducing his girlfriend Grace (Jennifer Anniston), to taking
revenge on a backstabbing co-worker at his job as a television
reporter. Bruce also uses his powers to push his career, as he
develops a reputation as Mr. Exclusive thanks to his divine ability
to be on the spot for all manner of spectacular events that oddly
seem to happen when Bruce is covering his usual human-interest
stories.

Naturally things are all not fun and games, as Bruce comes to learn
that with great powers comes great responsibilities, and is reminded
by God that he has yet to use his powers to help anyone other than
himself after his first week on the job. Bruce sets about answering
prayers but is so overwhelmed by them, that he starts to
rubber-stamp prayers with a yes response via his computer. Thinking
he is helping Bruce is shocked when he sees the results as thousands
of people win the lottery at once and riot when they learn that they
only receive a meager $17.00 due to so many winners. Bruce is forced
to learn that his actions no matter how well meaning can have
unforeseen negative reactions.

The
film did a good job at keeping things light and funny without having
a heavy- handed segment where Bruce is forced to learn that
sometimes despite great powers, tragic and bad things can happen.
Instead the film concentrates on the laughs, and there are many, as
well as subtly inserts some nuggets of wisdom pertaining to God,
happiness, and life. Carrey is fantastic in the role and is a true
delight to watch. It was nice to see him back in a larger than life
comedy role after some good dramatic turns as despite all of his
talent, his is still one of the most gifted comedians on film today
and his absence from comedies was missed. Anniston does a nice job
in the role of Grace as though it is not a deep role she plays the
part with a natural charm and sweetness that adds to what would
otherwise have been a throw away part.

The
film is a very funny and enjoyable film and I was very happy and
surprised to see that many of the best laughs and segments were not
contained in the trailers. "Bruce Almighty" will make you
laugh and you will leave the theater with a smile. Good job all
around and welcome back to your roots Jim, you have been sorely
missed.

This is one of Jim Carrey's best movies ever! Well nothing can compete with Ace Ventura, but this one is
definitely his second funniest ever! I'm gay (as-in-happy-duh) that he's gettin back to these kind of
movies...sorry, I never saw "The Majestic", heard it was great, but I mean, that's what we've got Harrison Ford for, we need Jim Carrey to be
funny! You will laugh at (and with) Bruce Almighty, and if you don't, then you're dead inside, and I don't see dead people. Seriously now,
this movie is riot, a little philosophical, but nothing like "The Matrix"
(not saying that's a good or bad thing), so just go see it, unless you're an easily offended religious person, or is that easily religious
offended person? And oh yeah, saw the preview for "Dumb & Dumberer", it stinks. But I'll
see it anyway. I love my Carrey. Gotta get my side split open every now and then, you know the drill.

Matt ( 2 out of 4
pops )

I remember when I used to think Jim Carrey was the funniest man in the
universe. Key words: "used to think." Am I
saying that his talents have dwindled over the years? Not at
all. I'm simply saying that I was in grade school when I saw the
"Ace Ventura" movies, so my comic standards weren't all that
high. The ironic thing is whenever I see Jim in interviews,
whether it's on "Conan O'Brien" or "David
Letterman," I never cease to laugh my ass off! It would
literally be a sin to say that Jim Carrey has no talent! It's
just, when it comes to movies, he doesn't always know where to focus his
talent. Now that I'm 20 years old, I can't stand watching the
"AV" movies, as I behold his constant mugging, whether he's
delivering a funny line or not. Maybe it's a matter of
taste. I personally think the comedy is funnier when it's
portrayed as dead serious. Once the silliness kicks in, the fourth
wall is broken, and the audience is fully aware that the actor is going
for a laugh, rather than doing what's right for his character.
Throughout "Bruce Almighty" (until the third act when the film
goes sentimental) Carrey doesn't say a single line without making one of
his unnecessary facial and/or vocal contortions. It's as if he
doesn't trust the material one bit, so he tries to beat the laughs
out the audience. Robin Williams is criticized for doing the same
thing, only more heavily for some reason, but with him the
hyperkinetic style works. Because he knows where to focus his
talent and trust the material. If a scene calls for him to be
serious, that's exactly what he'll do. Balance is the key.
Now, I did laugh intermittently throughout this movie, but like you
might expect--most of the good laughs were given away in the
trailers. Yes, the dog on the toilet is practically the cream of
the crop. Don't expect anything better. I'm part of the
minority who believes that Carrey should approach more dramatic roles,
and when I watch him mug so excessively it's surprising his face didn't
fall off during production, I see exactly why I'm proud to be part
of this minority. Jim, you were great in "The
Majestic"! You were great in "The Truman
Show"! Here, you're just a ham!! And it's a shame,
because I really liked the film's premise. Plus, I expected that
if Jim gets too out of hand, at least the great Morgan Freeman would be
there to add some class. Well, Morgan is great in the role of God
(and who said African-American actors don't receive good roles
anymore?), but he's only on screen for about 30 minutes. Not
enough time to add a hell of a lot of class.

Mike ( 3 1/2 out of 4
pops )

With
"Bruce Almighty", Jim Carrey proves once again that he is the
most zaniest and entertaining comedic actors since Jerry Lewis.
Carrey made me laugh out loud countless times while I watched this
movie, especially his dead-on parody impersonation of Clint Eastwood.
And the other cast members are especially good here as well, especially
Morgan Freeman as God and the guy who is fighting for the anchor job
with Bruce... (this guy's babbling nonsense on live TV is one of the
funniest scenes I've seen in a long time.) It is so refreshing to
see a comedy film that is actually funny and void of so much unnecessary
vulgarity and sexual innuendo that is usually found in Hollywood
comedies these days. While the movie may be overly predictable and
a little too sugarly, it is very enjoyable and very funny. Hard to
quibble with a film that makes you laugh this much.

Billy Ray ( 4 out of
4 pops )

Jim Carrey in a comedy? What is this? I thought he only made
dramas. Well, thank God for that (even though his dramas have all
been exceptional; it was just a good intro). "Bruce
Almighty" is a wonderful new comedy from Carrey, and one of his
best efforts yet. It brought back memories of "Liar
Liar" (the same guy directed it) and even "Ace Ventura".
I liked the Jennifer Aniston character, I liked Morgan Freeman as God,
and Carrey delivers one of the best lines from any film ever --
"Hello, you anal dwelling, butt monkey". This was
fantastic from beginning to end and even manages to deliver somewhat of
a nice message. Jim Carrey is back and the world is elated.